Bill O’Brien replenishes BC’s football roster with 27 mid-year transfers

In a span of two weeks earlier this month, Boston College football welcomed 45 potential transfers to campus.

The staff hosted the players and their families, showed them around and shared what the program had to offer, and discussed a potential future in Chestnut Hill.

“It’s like speed dating,” said BC head coach Bill O’Brien. “It’s a very, very involved process that happens quickly.”

When he took over the BC job in 2024, O’Brien didn’t envision the sport’s ever-changing landscape evolving as rapidly as it has. With just one portal window for the first time this year, teams and players have had to adapt, trust their gut, and take a collective leap of faith.

Ultimately, the Eagles landed 27 of those 45 players to compile a class currently ranked 57th nationally on 247 Sports and 12th in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Pair that with the 23 incoming freshmen — eight of whom have already arrived — and it’s not hyperbole to say half the team will be new next season.

Part of that is out of necessity, as many key contributors either graduated or transferred, but part of it is by design. O’Brien spoke Tuesday afternoon about his desire to put the 2025 season in the past and retool for the present and future.

“It’s a brand-new team,” O’Brien said. “New coaches, new team. We’re just excited to get going.”

Names to know

While it’s unlikely that all 27 transfers will see regular action, it is fair to expect a decent number will earn starting roles.

“These guys aren’t transferring to sit on the bench,” O’Brien said.

Some of the most intriguing names include: 6-foot-1-inch, 190-pound quarterback Mason McKenzie (Saginaw Valley State), 5-11, 195-pound running back Evan Dickens (Liberty), 6-2, 205-pound linebacker Kris Jones (Georgia), 6-foot, 223-pound linebacker Justin Medlock (Southern Methodist), and 5-11, 195-pound defensive back Kam Howard (Alabama).

After Trinidad Chambliss earned Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference Player of the Year honors at Division 2 Ferris State before starring at Ole Miss this season, the reigning conference MVP McKenzie is hoping to follow a similar trajectory at BC.

O’Brien highlighted McKenzie’s ability to see the field, make off-schedule plays, and lean on his athleticism.

“We’re not going to try to stuff him into a system that doesn’t fit,” O’Brien said of McKenzie, who threw for 4,301 yards and 31 touchdowns in 25 games at Saginaw Valley State.

Dickens finished third in the nation in rushing yards per game (121.7) and tied for sixth with 16 rushing touchdowns. Jones, a former four-star recruit out of high school, saw action in 13 games for the Bulldogs.

Medlock had 25 tackles, a sack, and a 96-yard pick-six last year, and his teams have a 38-16 record over four years. Howard and fellow 6-foot, 185-pound defensive back Kevyn Humes (Maryland) were both high school teammates with returning BC star KP Price at Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore.

Back in line

Out of the 27 transfers, six are offensive linemen: 6-5, 285-pound Trevon Humphrey (North Carolina Central), 6-5, 300-pound Reggie Jackson (Jacksonville State), 6-8, 288-pound Veguer Jean-Jumeau Jr. (Tennessee State), 6-4, 290-pound Jani Norwood (North Carolina), 6-4, 310-pound Kristian Phillips (Michigan State), and 6-4, 300-pound Owen Snively (Eastern Michigan).

The Eagles finished 15th in the conference in rushing yards per game (103.9) last season and are clearly making a point to return to their roots.

“When we watched them on film, we felt like they were tough and athletic,” O’Brien said of the new group.

Defensively, the Eagles were last in the conference with 17 sacks. They sorely missed 2024 ACC Defensive Player of the Year Donovan Ezeiruaku and ended up struggling in that area all season.

Jones, Medlock, defensive end Demetrius Ballard (Buffalo), 6-3, 309-pound defensive tackle/end KJ Sampson (Florida State), and 6-1, 224-pound linebacker Anthony Palano (Washington State) could help.

“Look, there’s a lot we have to improve on,” O’Brien said.

Coaching them up

As they welcome new players to campus, the Eagles will also say hello to several new coaches.

Ted Roof will replace Tim Lewis as the team’s defensive coordinator. Offensive coordinator Will Lawing will not return this season.

Roof, formerly the head coach at Duke, also has stops at Alabama, Auburn, and Oklahoma, among others, and was most recently the defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Central Florida in 2024.

“He’s a very aggressive, attacking-style of defense,” O’Brien said.

Mike Hart, Michigan’s all-time leading rusher, is expected to join the Eagles as running backs coach. Kurt Anderson, who has coached at Northwestern, Arkansas, and more, will lead the offensive line. Joe Dailey is back to coach the wide receivers once again.

O’Brien reiterated Tuesday that he doesn’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon.

“I have three years left on a five-year contract,” he said. “I’m going to work my butt off to try to get this thing right.”

Demetrius Ballard – defensive end, Buffalo

Evan Dickens – running back, Liberty

Javarius Green – wide receiver, North Carolina

Kam Howard – defensive back, Alabama

Christian Hudson – defensive tackle, Colorado

Kevyn Humes – defensive back, Maryland

Trevon Humphrey – offensive tackle, North Carolina Central

Reggie Jackson – offensive tackle, Jacksonville State

Veguer Jean Jumeau Jr. – offensive tackle, Tennessee State

Kris Jones – outside linebacker/defensive end, Georgia

Chandler Jordan – defensive back, Georgia State

Bodie Kahoun – linebacker, Notre Dame

Cam Kossman – tight end, Florida

Bryce LaFollette – punter, Towson State

Mason McKenzie – quarterback, Saginaw Valley State

Justin Medlock – linebacker, Southern Methodist

Jani Norwood – offensive lineman, North Carolina

John Owens – long snapper, Holy Cross

Anthony Palano – inside linebacker, Washington State

Kristian Phillips – offensive guard/tackle, Michigan State

Nolan Ray – running back, Maryland

KJ Sampson – defensive tackle/defensive end, Florida State

Owen Snively – interior offensive lineman, Eastern Michigan

Reed Swanson – wide receiver, Colgate

Jackson Wade – slot receiver, Florida

Grayson Wilson – quarterback, Arkansas

Landon Wright – wide receiver, Washington State

By position

OL: 6

WR: 4

LB: 4

DL: 3

DB: 3

QB: 2

RB: 2

TE: 1

P: 1

LS: 1